Popular Sydney jockey Tommy Berry enjoyed his first Wagga Gold Cup victory as Abdon ($3.30) got the better of High Opinion ($6) in a classic two-horse duel down the straight.

Abdon gradually edged clear to score by a half length from High Opinion, with Wodonga galloper Willi Willi ($11) a further length back in third place.

It gave Waller his second consecutive Wagga Gold Cup success after Life Less Ordinary's win last year and his third victory since 2014.

The leading Sydney trainer started out in Wagga when he first moved to Australia and was delighted to win the Gold Cup for a third time.

"Winx might have gone from my racing life but my passion and excitement is still there and I get a huge thrill in winning a special race like this," Waller said.

It was also a special win for Berry, who paid tribute to Tye Angland, whose career was tragically cut short in November when he was left a quadriplegic from a race fall in Hong Kong.

"It's the first time I've been here without Tye, which it was a bit different, you know. He is Wagga. When I think of Wagga, I think of Tye. We always have a good time here so it's really special and I'm a bit lost for words," Berry said after the victory.

Albury trainer Rob Wellington stole the show early on Wagga Gold Cup day courtesy of a race-to-race winning double.

Funky Farm kicked things off with a win at 100-1, then Nevada Dane ($4.40) completed the double with victory in the Class Three Showcase Handicap (1000m).

"It's what dreams are made of," Wellington said.